Douglas Love Boyd

Douglas Love Boyd, 70, of Bloomfield, beloved husband for 32 years of Ruth Flemming, peacefully passed away on July 13, 2025. Douglas born in the Sugar Hill section of Harlem, the son of the late Jeanette (Jordan) Boyd–Hopkins. "Love, Love" as his mother so fittingly called him, was an accomplished scholar, graduated from Dewitt Clinton High School in the Bronx, NY, and earned his Bachelor of Arts from Howard University after being awarded their Special Talent Scholarship and Ford Foundation Grant, He received his Master of Fine Arts from Mitchell College and began his career as a paint mixer, creating vivid colors and imaginative designs for clients across Washington, D.C. When he brought his skillsets home to New York City, he and a long-time friend started a small but impactful graphic arts company, Color to Color, sustained by Douglas's tireless commitment. Douglas's intelligence, passion, and determination as a Black artist resonated through his imaginative style as an oil-based and acrylic painter. In his work, Douglas highlighted and reinforced positive images of Black people and their lives with the goal of translating powerful political and educational images onto canvas so that the youth could appreciate their heritage. After reconnecting with fellow artist and Howard Alumna, Ruth, at the Apollo Theater in 1992, they married and relocated to Hartford, CT. Douglas's work has been exhibited in Washinton, D.C., Atlanta, GA, Hartford, CT, and New York City, including a display at the Bronx Museum of Arts. Some of Douglas's most notable works of art include a mural he created for the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, which consists of three panels, each nearly 16 square feet, depicting the diversity of Connecticut's struggle to achieve equal opportunity for all its citizens, which still exists on Albany Avenue in Hartford. A second mural he created for the Albany Avenue beautification project received an award from former Mayor Eddie Perez. Douglas was also very proud to be a part of an exhibition at Howard University called "A Proud Continuum, Eight Decades of Art at Howard University." Douglas was also an inspired and dedicated art teacher in the Hartford Public School System and retired after over 20 years of service to his community. He believed that "Knowledge is Power," and his students admired "Mr. Boyd" for his respectful classroom culture, commanding voice, and his superb artistic talent. Douglas was an avid fisherman, had a masterful green thumb, and kept a rich garden throughout his life. He was an animal lover, international traveler, and a grill master. After retiring, Douglas continued his legacy, teaching his great nieces and nephews about the Black experience through the arts. As his name suggests, Douglas Love Boyd was loved by many, and he will be missed by all. In addition to his dedicated wife, Ruth, Douglas leaves to celebrate his life, his sons, Jalanie and Malcolm Boyd; Malcolm's mother, Marian Boullon; his brother, Bobby Boyd; sister, Gwendolyn Hopkins; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, James and Christine Butler; and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, other relatives, and friends. His family will receive friends on Monday, July 21, 10-11 a.m., with a Celebration of Life, 11 a.m., at Carmon Funeral Home, 807 Bloomfield Ave., Windsor. Burial will be private. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Douglas, please visit our floral store.